Local government performance-based road maintenance contracts : experience from Latin America (Anglais)

The idea of outsourcing road maintenance to micro and small enterprises under performance-based contracts has been successfully implemented in the Latin American region. It has been recognized as an effective approach to rural road maintenance. Furthermore...  Voir la suite The idea of outsourcing road maintenance to micro and small enterprises under performance-based contracts has been successfully implemented in the Latin American region. It has been recognized as an effective approach to rural road maintenance. Furthermore, several of these contracts have been established as performance-based contracts (PBCs). Under the PBCs, payments for the management and/or maintenance of road assets are linked with the contractor successfully meeting or exceeding certain clearly defined minimum performance standards. The practice provides an effective mechanism for keeping the rehabilitated road in good condition and ensuring the continuation of benefits from improved access. In addition to regularly maintaining roads, the practice also generates long-term direct and indirect employment at the community level. This study evaluated the performance of the municipal performance-based road maintenance contracts in Latin America. The report focuses on labor-intensive practices but also covers contracts that require the use of more conventional maintenance practices. The research included (1) a critical literature review of relevant documents and reports, (2) identification of suitable agencies for detailed investigation, (3) a telephone survey of these agencies, and (4) visits to selected agencies in different countries in Central and South America to identify key lessons from failures and successes to be applied to future applications of performance-based road maintenance contracts. The report compares programs in 10 countries and 12 road agencies. The report presents key concepts and analyzes good practices in outsourcing management and maintenance of sub-national-level roads to micro and small enterprises under PBCs. It also identifies common patterns and main stages of enterprise development for the execution of the contracts at sub-national levels in various countries.  Réduire